Harmonic Society concert

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33568, 24 June 1974, Page 12

Harmonic Society concert

The Christchurch Harmonic Society’s second subscription concert was given in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, the Harmonic Chorale, conducted by William Hawkey, and the Harmonic Singers, a women’s choir conducted by Elizabeth Wemyss, providing the programme.

Both choirs sang . excellently and gave performances of exemplary artistry. The chorale sang “Four Canadian Folks Songs” arranged by Dereck Healey; three part songs by Gustav Holst; Malcolm Williamson’s "Symphony for Voices;” “Ghosts. Fire, and Water” by Douglas Mews; and “Four Songs ’of the Newfoundland Outports,” arranged by Harry Somers. All were sung by the chorale at a recent recital. This year is the centennial of the birth of Gustav Holst, and the Harmonic Singers sang “Five Canons.” and “Seven Songs for Women’s Voices," making, with the chorale’s contribution, 15 of his smaller works on one programme.

As there was some superficial sameness about them, there were rather too many for one programme, although ah were splendidly performed.

The Harmonic Singers also sang some “Town and Country Cries” by Hoist’s daughter, Imogen Holst. These were charming, and were performed in like manner. As each item, in intrinsic worth and in performance, was a little gem, it is most regrettable that the concert did not have the success it deserved. The subscribers cannot have wanted this programme, for they did not come in large numbers. There was not much calculated to rouse the heightened interest of the general public already surfeited by a lot of concerts in these last few days of poor weather. Furthermore, the performances would have been much more satisfactory if held in the James Hay Theatre. The audience would have looked larger there, and the items performed needed the more intimate atmosphere that proximity between stage and audience provides. The

words would have been clearer, which would have been a considerable Help. The guest artists were the Camerata String Quartet — Paulerie Smith, Chloe Moon, Elizabeth Rogers, and Frances De Goldi — who with Maurice Till gave a highly praiseworthy performance of Dvorak’s Quintet in A major, Op. 81. This would also have been heard to better advantage in the James Hay Theatre, for the large auditorium is not suitable for chamber music presentations. .

These guest artists were placed too late on an already overlong programme. When guest artists are engaged, attention should be given to the amount of time which can be allotted to them, and also to seeing that the work chosen agrees in style with the rest of the programme. The Camerata Quartet is a very welcome redent addition to our musical scene. They play very well indeed, and their forthcoming concert on July 6 in the Ngaio Marsh Theatre deserves support.—C.F.B.